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Despite spending 16 of his 19-year Hall of Fame career with the Chicago White Sox, one of the organization’s greatest players of all time is not on good terms with them.
Frank Thomas, who won two MVP awards with the North Siders, is suing the organization, alleging unauthorized use of his likeness on uniforms.
Thomas said the team profited by selling merchandise using his identity without his permission, particularly the sale of City Connect 2.0 jerseys bearing his name without his consent. The jerseys paid homage to the Chicago Bulls with a red primary top, white pinstripes and black numbers.
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Former Chicago White Sox player Frank Thomas during the national anthem before the team’s game against the New York Mets. He was there to throw out a ceremonial first pitch at Guaranteed Rate Field. (Matt Marton/USA TODAY Sports)
Thomas claims that he has not received any compensation or other consideration from Nike, Fanatics and the White Sox for the use of his name and likeness.
“The complaint we filed alleges violations of the Illinois Right to Publicity Act,” William T. Gibbs of Corboy & Demetrio, the law firm representing Thomas, wrote in a statement. “Companies must not take advantage of someone’s identity without their permission. We believe our filing speaks for itself.”
The lawsuit was filed March 19 in Cook County, Illinois, and also named Nike and Fanatics as defendants. Thomas is asking for payment in excess of $50,000 and is demanding a jury trial.
The beef between Thomas and the organization has been brewing for at least a little while. Last month, the former slugger criticized the team for leaving him out of a Black History Month graphic.
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Frank Thomas #35 of the Chicago White Sox signs autographs for fans before the start of a 1996 Major League Baseball spring training game in Tucson, Arizona. (Focus on Sports/Getty Images)
Thomas played 16 years for the White Sox from 1990 to 2005, finishing his career first in several key statistical categories, including home runs (448), RBI (1,465), doubles (447), on-base percentage (.427), slugging percentage (.568), OPS (.9195, 466 times).
“I guess that black player who made you rich over there and has all your records is forgettable! Don’t worry, I’ll take receipts!” He wrote on X.
The graphic in question pointed to some of the most important moments in the White Sox’s organization and Black players. Minne Miñoso broke the franchise’s color barrier, Al Smith was the first black All-Star in team history in 1960, Danny Goodwin was the first African-American player selected with the top pick in the draft by the White Sox in 1971, and Kenny Williams became the first African-American general manager in Chicago Sports history—to name a few.
Chicago White Sox first baseman Frank Thomas strikes out at Comiskey Park. (Imagn)
The Toronto Blue Jays, for whom Thomas played 171 games after his tenure in Chicago, included Thomas in their Black History Month celebration post.
